Northwestern Saskatchewan

Crop District 9AW – Shellbrook, North Battleford, Big River and Hafford areas;
Crop District 9B – Meadow Lake, Turtleford, Pierceland, Maidstone and Lloydminster areas

For the Period May 15 to 21, 2018

Producers in the region have made tremendous progress this past week with 65 per cent of the crop now in the ground. This is up from 24 per cent last week and well ahead of the five-year (2013-2017) seeding average of 51 per cent for this time of year. Some producers have wrapped up operations while others will need another couple of weeks. 

Some areas received rain that will be of benefit to crops, pastures and hay land. Rainfall ranged from nil to 18 mm in the Meadow Lake area. The North Battleford area reported 4 mm, the Neilburg area 5 mm, the Frenchman Butte area 3 mm, the Hafford area 7 mm and the Debden area 8 mm. The Hafford area has received the most precipitation (41 mm) in the region since April 1.

Like most of the province, recent strong winds, warm temperatures and lack of moisture have led to dry fields. Rainfall would be welcomed across the region. Cropland topsoil moisture is rated as 56 per cent adequate, 37 per cent short and seven per cent very short. Hay land and pasture topsoil moisture is rated as 46 per cent adequate, 42 per cent short and 12 per cent very short.

The majority of crops are either at or behind their normal developmental stages for this time of year. Most crop damage this past week was due to lack of moisture and strong winds. Crop germination has been slow and emergence uneven.

Additional rainfall would be beneficial to pastures and hay land in the region as growth has been relatively limited. Pasture conditions are rated as 28 per cent good, 45 per cent fair, 16 per cent poor and 11 per cent very poor. 

Farmers are busy seeding, moving cattle and controlling weeds if necessary.